g.t.c.

While we were making our way through New York City, we wanted to stop for a cupcake. My go-to is Georgetown Cupcake and I had yet to see their new location. I thought about stopping in a few other little cupcake shops, but being that it was New Year's Day, some were closed. Between the hours and the locations of some of them, GTC was the way to go. And they never disappoint. It's very good I don't live nearby. I would happily stop in each day, or eat handfuls at a time. My wallet would be thin and my waistline would be wide. Mono wanted to try two different flavors. I think maple something and mocha. And I chose my favorite, chocolate cupcake, vanilla frosting. Yummm.

 Cheers!

 I wish I could have bought a dozen... each.

Oh My Heavens!

Not too long from now I am making one of my last trips before the boys arrive. I'll be in the wonderful NYC. Part of the time I will be on Long Island with family and then part of the time with family in NYC. I just google mapped the location of the apartment in the city along with the directions from there to the fabulous Georgetown Cupcake!

My friends, it is within walking distance of where I will be staying. Hello night time snack. Hello breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am thinking of even possibly just staying in the air-conditioned GTC all day long, while my family enjoys the sights. I've seen them before. I can pass. Cupcakes all day long sound much better. Especially to someone that has recently put on 13 pounds faster than I thought possible. All the walking in the city might be too much on me, right? Or are you thinking more reasonably than I am thinking maybe the dozens of cupcakes I would eat would be too much on me.

Either way, sitting there all day, or enjoying a few quick stops for a cupcake, I will be enjoying this trip for sure! I can't wait to be with family, in NYC and eating GT cupcakes....... or Crumbs Cupcakes. I may be doing a taste test.

My heart skips a beat for colors like this!

It's a distinct color. 

One all of it's own. 

Unmistakeable. 

Like a box from Tiffany's.

One that makes your heart skip a momentary beat.

The doorbell rang and there in the postman's hand was that pink color I knew so well.

I probably had a very confused look on my face because all I could think was, "Now why would I be receiving a box from Georgetown Cupcake? Who could it be from?"

I had yet to see that it was actually in fact from Georgetown Cupcake, but I didn't have any doubts.

I thanked the nice man and closed the door... then ran to the kitchen to open it.

 That is when I noticed it was from my friend, wedding photographer, and fellow G-town Cupcake lover.

Figures. Why was I surprised? She is ah-mazing. Really. She never disappoints. Never ceases to amaze me! I just love her. It's a good thing we don't live nearby each other, because she'd actually be able to see my obsession/crush in person. 

I have them on the boys shelf already, waiting for them to be able to wear them! Now won't that make for cute pictures! Boys in their cupcake onezies, Momma eating a cupcake!!! There is not a single doubt in the world that these babies of mine will be introduced to these lovely confectionaries once they are old enough to eat them!

Megan, thank you for your constant, never-ending kindness. You are a treasured friend.

Thank you Irene! 237.365

Cupcakes do make me happy...

And so does this visit from my cousin!

 Mark goes to school on the East Coast. He was evacuated and had no where to go... home was on the East Coast as well.

So, in the blink of an eye, we found out Irene was sending him safely in our direction!

Thank you so much Irene!

 Mark had never been down here for a visit before, so we spent the day driving him around to see the area. We stopped to get cupcakes at the Dreamcakes Truck! 

Yuummmmmm!

I never say no to cupcakes!

I know we are going to have a great time having Mark here visiting!

It's certainly off to a good start!

Lights, Camera, Action! 212.365

Our morning started early this morning. Mono and I were up and out on our way by 7:15. I had an appointment at 8:30, but with traffic, the approximately 10 mile drive, would take about an hour - if we were lucky. 

So off we went, sitting through bumper-to-bumper traffic (something us Northerners turned kinda Alabamians aren't so used to anymore). We actually made it to my appointment 5 minutes early!

When we were done, Mono and I headed on our way to D.C/Georgetown to meet with Megan for our engagement pictures. Today marks 2 months (yes only two months!!) until our wedding, but we still wanted to have this e-session.... and I am sooooo glad we did. Megan was amazing. She is crazy talented, and made us feel like the three of us have been the best of friends for years. 

It was super hot and we had done both sets of shooting, fancy and casual... but I had one more shoot up my sleeve. We needed an energy booster and all three of us love cupcakes so much and we were too close to pass it up, so in we went!

 For some reason, I look HUGE in this picture. Look at my head compared to hers! haha-

After all the pictures were taken and goodbyes were said, Mono and I met up with his Mom for a bite to eat. I must admit, I am not very adventurous when it comes to food. Mono is the complete opposite and so is his Mom. They decided on Lebanese cuisine for lunch.... ummmmm.... okay, I guess? ....

 

Turns out, I loved my meal. Don't ask me what it was called... That I can't remember, but it was so, so good! I guess this should teach me to branch out a bit more and be more adventurous.

Mono's Dad was on his way, but unfortunately didn't get there in time for lunch. When he did arrive, we hung out a little and then met up with Mono's aunt and uncle for dinner. That was quite yummy too! I had a safe meal - a burger - but it was super tasty. I really enjoy time with all of Mono's family so spending a nice evening, taking a stroll to a local restaurant and sharing conversation over dinner was very enjoyable. 

Once dinner was over, before Mono's Dad had to head home (he couldn't stay over with Mono's Mom because he had work the next day), Mono and I took a ride through town in his Dad's new car!

 My cutie!

 Top down, music turned up loud!

 Hair blowing in the wind...taking this eveing all in.

 

Today was a wonderful day - from start to finish!

Here's a sneak peek from Megan's website of our engagement session.

Thank you again Megan, for your talent and kindness to the both of us. I look forward to seeing the rest of our pictures and to seeing you again on October 1st!!

Cupcake Wars: Mocha vs. Boston Cream 190.365

 The kitchen was certainly hopping tonight! We started out baking a batch of Boston Cream cupcakes, then we made dinner and finished up with Mocha cupcakes.

Irma got out my big book of cupcake recipes and chose two more that she thought we should try. They were certainly quite tasty! Good choices Irm!! :)

 Doesn't that look good!? :)

 

Meemsy was our official taste tester. I think she gave it a thumbs up! :) 

Now, to show you that not all my kitchen creations are all sweet and pretty, this is what we dealt with tonight.

  

Coffee all over the counter and the floor.

And the rejects. Yes, there are some of them at times. They taste the same, but are not presentable. It's kinda like a bad hair day, but for cupcakes!

Red, White, and Blue 184.365

Our morning started out with a fun parade, heading straight down the main street on this gorgeous little island. We all decked out in a combination of red, white and/or blue and headed on our way to see the festivities of the day!

We lined up on the street and all waited for the famous island parade to begin.

Love these pictures of them!!

 

There was music...

 

lots and lots of it.

And fire trucks, police cars, and cool cars

 

And a combination of both!

This was surely a hit!

The highlight was definitely when the people in the parade threw candy and little goodies out to the kids lining the street. Meemsy got some patriotic bling.

Flags were given out... and then worn... 

Mon sported his in a very fun and creative way.

I loved these little girls and their outfits! I will be making these for my children one day!

These guys were funny. See the guy in the blue an yellow in the top right pic? He's scanning the crowd for a cute girl...

And it was then that he spotted her.

And he chose our girl!!

Ines!! Awesome choice!

Merima enjoyed the parade! She looks cute with her new bling as she called it. I'm so out of the loop with current lingo. Those are still just plain old necklaces to me!

 

I was waiting for these guys. I remembered them from last year and I waited until the very end to get my picture with them. Awesomeness! I wish I could dance like them - not even on the stilts. I need to get lessons from them in time for my wedding... at least that's what my sisters have told me after they saw my dancing skills lack of dancing skills.

I love waterfalls... that came from my Dad. :)

 

After the parade we spent some time at the beach, came back to the pool, cleaned ourselves up and had dinner and patriotic cupcakes!

 Boxed, but still yummy! I love the sparkly stars!

Merima nicely set the table for us to eat at. :) What a good girl!

 And then... at about 7:30 we headed down to the water to settle into our little spot for the fireworks. They were scheduled to start at 9:00.

Well, after waiting an hour and a half, they finally started a little after 10:30!!

 We were happy and the crowd cheered...big time!

After a half an hour or so of a great fireworks show, we headed back home. It didn't mean bed time, but we did settle down. Had some ice cream, watched tv and relaxed.

 

We only have one more day here, and it has been a lot of fun. Tonight was great. The whole day was! I'm so glad I am able to celebrate this summer holiday and spend time with my sisters, my parents and Mono!